"Where is Operations and why do I have a feeling it has everything to do with why Perry's body was never found?" Michael demanded and Madeline rubbed her chin.
"Michael, Do I have to remind you that the more time you spend here, the more time Nikita spends in that torture?" Madeline asked and Michael blinked his eyes and looked away.
"What if this is a trap?" Michael asked and Madeline shook her head.
"Although Operations dislikes Nikita's influences on certain operatives, it has not all been bad. Losing Nikita now would not be wise. Plus, he might owe her a thing or two that you know nothing about." Madeline explained as Birkoff dashed back.
"I have more intel." Birkoff said and Michael looked at Madeline before looking at Birkoff.
"What?" Michael asked and Birkoff dropped his head and handed the photo over to Michael.
"It seems as if three operatives have been assigned to watch Perry Bauer, and that was taken four days ago." Birkoff said as Michael studied the picture and then handed it to Madeline.
"Lisa?" Madeline questioned and Michael nodded his head and looked down the hallway.
"That makes this extremely complicated." Madeline said and Michael looked to Walter as he peaked down the hallway. Michael moved and looked at Walter.
"Bring the weapons. We are leaving now." Michael said and Madeline stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You may need some help, I am going out with you." Madeline said and Michael shook his head. Madeline kept the hand on his shoulder.
"We don't know what other tortures have been used.' Madeline said and Michael flinched as Madeline spoke Michael's deepest fear. Silently, Michael handed Madeline and gun and moved quickly down the hallway.
***
Nikita tried to move her head around, as some of the straps had been removed from her body. Nikita did notice the importance of where they had been removed and she closed her eyes at the thought. What more could they do to her. Even now, the rain beating against the window caused her heart to pound, and with each crack of thunder and flash of lightening, Nikita's weakened body jumped.
The door opened and slammed shut.
"I told them to dry you off. Now you will catch cold." Lisa said as she smiled at Nikita and pinched Nikita's cheeks.
"That is the least of my worries." Nikita said and Lisa nodded her head and sat down near Nikita.
"Maybe you should have thought what I would do when I found out the truth... About you and Michael... The whole time you were in my house, you were in love with him... And the first time he was with me... He was in love you." Lisa said slowly and Nikita shook her head.
"That isn't true. Michael doesn't love me!" Nikita cried out and Lisa slapped Nikita across the face. It did not even hurt Nikita.
"He does.... That second time... he was there to save your goddamn life... And he thought I didn't know... That I was so caught up with my own bodily reactions that I didn't notice... But I did... I heard it... And knew it..." Lisa said and she pulled violently at Nikita's hair and dropped Nikita to the floor, making spots of black cloud Nikita's vision. How Nikita started to wish for death.
Nikita started to welcome the black spots, and they multiplied. She was close to death. What had her tortured body holding on was hope, but there was no hope here. Nikita started to hear the sounds of an ocean, although she knew they were miles away.
"And he moaned your name out." Lisa said softly, but it caught Nikita's attention, and she started to fight the spots. Lisa stood up and kicked Nikita's straps in the stomach and looked to the walls.
"DAMN YOU NIKITA! HE LOVES YOU AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW!" Lisa screamed and moved to the door. She motioned to the guards.
"Position her... and bring in the dogs. I want Michael to be disgusted by her." Lisa said and left. Nikita's eyes opened, as the one word screamed at her. Her current nightmare was meshing with the nightmares of her childhood. Yet, she held on... To the one thought… That Michael moaned her name out.
***
Operations moved quickly and stood outside the door, as the van pulled up.
"Hello Paul." Perry said as he placed the gun to Operations head.
Just as Michael, Madeline, Walter, Birkoff and the rest of the team were entering van egress, Michael's comm set came on. "Michael, Madeline, we have an anomaly." Madeline pushed her comm set and spoke. "What is it, Gail?"
We have a tracker that just came on screen a few minutes ago. This one was not assigned to anyone. We think, perhaps, Operations took one with him.
Madeline and Michael exchanged glances. Michael nodded his head and then spoke. "Gail, feed the location to Birkoff. We'll check it out as soon as we have the information."
Back at the compound...
Lisa watched as her minion brought three Rotweilers into the room with Nikita. Nikita wasn't completely conscious, but she saw the dogs and flinched. This made Lisa laugh. "What's wrong Nikita? A fearless spy like you shouldn't be afraid of a few little dogs."
Nikita tried to straighten up along the wall. She managed to get to a sitting position, but that was it. Then she saw Lisa head for the door and nod to her henchman. The man left the dogs loose. Nikita's mind was numb. She knew it was over. There was no way with her arms strapped to her body and her feet strapped together that she would ever be able to fight off one dog, much less three. And she didn't have the strength to even stand. She closed her eyes and tried to send her final thoughts Michael's way. She didn't really believe in that sort of thing, but she wanted him to know the truth. "Michael, I love you. I'm sorry I couldn't hold out until you found me. Please carry on without me."
In the mission van...
Birkoff was giving the driver the directions to the compound. They headed off and Michael began reviewing the mission profile. He and Madeline and two other operatives would go in. Walter and Birkoff would stay in the van. The remaining four operatives would provide outside cover for the team going in and for the van. Just as Michael was finishing his briefing, he got the strangest feeling. It was almost like he could hear Nikita speaking to him. "Michael, I love you. I'm sorry... Please carry on without me." Michael got chills up his spine at the thought that Nikita was dying. "Get a move on!" he yelled to the driver. The van picked up speed.
Madeline noticed Michael's face going pale. "Michael what is it? What's wrong?"
Michael stared at her, but he wasn't going to tell her. He knew she would think he was crazy and use it against him in the future. "It's nothing," he replied.
Madeline knew he was lying. "Michael tell me. What is going on? You know something."
Michael sighed. "I don't know really. I just had this impression of Nikita talking to me. She was saying she was sorry she couldn't make it until I got there. She was saying goodbye."
Madeline nodded her head. She knew that sometimes people were so close that they formed a sort of psychic connection with each other. She believed that it was possible that Michael and Nikita had that ability. It explained why they worked together so well. How they each knew what each other were thinking and when the other was in trouble. "Okay Michael. I understand. But you can't let this shake you. You have to stay focused. We'll be there shortly. Try sending a message back to her. Tell her to hang on."
Michael looked at Madeline like she was crazy. He didn't know how to do that. He wasn't telepathic or anything. This was just crazy. He just wanted to get to the compound and find her.
Madeline saw Michael struggling with what she had told him. He was fighting it. "Michael. I believe you can do it. At least try for Nikita's sake. Just concentrate on Nikita. Think about her and nothing else. Then just tell her to hang on."
Michael sat down on the bench at the rear of the van and tried to concentrate. Every time he thought of Nikita, however, all he could see was what they were doing to her. He kept picturing it over and over again. Finally he got a hold of himself. He centered his mind and focused. He concentrated solely on Nikita... His Nikita. Then he kept repeating over and over again... "Hang on Kita... I'm coming. Please just hang on."
Back at the compound...
Perry had two thugs strap Operations down in the observation room. He then informed Lisa that they had another guest. Lisa entered the observation room and was surprised to see the older man. She looked to Perry for identification.
"Lisa, we have an honored guest. This is Operations... The head of Section One. He is Michael and Nikita's boss." Lisa smiled at the news for a few seconds. The she walked over to Operations. "Welcome to our little show. I'm just disappointed it's you and not Michael. Never fear... we will do our best to keep her alive until Michael gets here. Then you can both watch her die."
Operations snorted. "You will not get away with this. If you kill her, Michael will kill you. Don't ever underestimate Michael. And if you would somehow manage to kill both of them, you will be hunted down. Tell her Perry. Tell her she will die sooner or later."
Perry smiled at Operations. "Oh, I don't know, there chap. Lisa and I just might find someone to help us out. There are plenty of groups out there that would pay anything for what we know about Section. They would love to destroy you. I don't think we have to worry just yet."
Just then the dogs started attacking Nikita. She covered up as best she could, considering how she was still strapped. They bit at her arms and legs and back. She did manage to keep her face hidden. She was just about to give up when she felt something. She wasn't sure just what, but then she heard it... In her head. It was Michael. "Hang on Kita. I'm coming. Please just hang on." She didn't understand how it had happened, but it was the piece of encouragement she needed to fight off the enclosing despair.
The mission van had just pulled into the long driveway. It neared closer to the compound.
Michael: Birkoff are there any guards on the perimeter.
Birkoff: Hold on I'll check.
Michael was getting impatient.
Michael: Birkoff we don't have any more time!
Birkoff: No there are no guards outside... That's really strange.
Madeline: Well let's move!
The 4 operatives pilled out of the van. Michael and Madeline would make up team one and the other two ops would be team two. They stealthily made their way up to the compound.
Michael: Team two move in.
The team penetrated the building and took out immediate threats then Michael and Madeline moved in after. They started to move through the hallways.
Madeline: Birkoff. Give me a location on Operations.
Birkoff: He's 79 ft. South of you at 11 o'clock.
Madeline started to move towards Operations. But Michael headed in the opposite direction. Madeline turned around and looked back at Michael. She knew where he was going. She decided to go find Operations alone.
As she headed down the hallway towards his location she was being watched by a complex system of security cameras.
In the compound's security room...
Perry and Lisa stood watching Madeline walk down the hall. They were still unaware of Michael's presence.
Perry:
Lisa: Who is she?
Perry: She works for Section One.
Lisa: This is getting more fun by the minute. You'd think the entire force would show up next. But that would be only all the more fun. To kill all those who had anything to do with ruining my life.
Perry: My dear you must control your emotions. We have not succeeded in capturing what we truly want.
With that an evil smile appeared on Lisa's face.
Back in the hallways:
Madeline had gotten to a door and Operations should be right behind it. She slowly opened it and there was Operations. In the middle of the room strapped into a chair. She though... That it looked very similar to the white room.
Madeline: Well. Paul it seems that you gotten yourself all tied up.
Operations shouted something at her but because he had been gagged it was all muffled.
Madeline left the doorway and started to walk toward him. Just them the door slammed shut. Madeline rushed back to the door and pulled at it... It was locked.
Madeline: Damn!
Operations again tried to speak. Madeline walked over to him and took of the gag.
Operations: How could you be so foolish!
Madeline: Don't start it's not going to do us any good. We still have other ops out there I'll just contact them.
She reaches up to her earpiece.
Madeline: Michael? Michael! Hello?
Operations: Figures.
Back to the other end of the compound where Michael is searching through rooms... Just when Michael thought he would never find Nikita he heard a scream. He ran towards the sound and came to an intersection of four corridors. "Oh Nikita just scream again... So I can find you... Help me find you." Just them Nikita did scream again and Michael bolted down the right hallway. The screams continued and Michael was lead to a door he tried to open it but it was locked. He took out his gun and fired at the lock, The door unlatched. Michael moved in and there on the floor being attacked by dogs was Nikita. Michael with the gun he was already holding shot the vicious dogs. Nikita was torn and bleeding... Michael rushed to her and picked her up.
"Birkoff, give me everyone's positions." Walter called out and Birkoff shook his head as Walter picked up a bunch of explosives.
"TELL ME! I AM GOING TO GET EVERYONE OUT!" Walter said and Birkoff shook his head.
"Is Medic standing by?" Michael's voice rang out in all the communications units.
"They are behind us, about five minutes out." Birkoff replied and Walter took the opportunity to open the door and run inside.
"Walter is on the move." Birkoff reported and shook his head.
"I have 3 dead dogs." Michael replied.
***
"Dogs?" Madeline questions as fear spikes into her heart. Operations nods his head.
"I saw them. Attack Nikita. She was tied up." Operations says and Madeline closes her eyes and tries to open the door again.
"Psychologically, can she mend from this?" Operations asks and Madeline turns around and aims her gun at him.
"How dare you question that now? We might not get out. Or maybe, you won't!" Madeline screams and Operations shuts his eyes.
"Was she attacked by dogs in her past?" Operations asks Madeline and she looked to the door and makes a weak kick at it.
"It was more than just an attack." Madeline says as she pounds on the door.
***
"NO!" Nikita screams out as Michael advances towards her. Michael looks at her and pulls off his jacket.
"Let me die… Don't look at me." Nikita cried out as her body moved from side to side. The blood kept running, and Michael looks at Nikita and feels his heart stop.
"Nikita, let me get you to medic." Michael says as he covers with his jacket and she attempts to roll away.
"Nikita... I'm not going to hurt you. I want to help... But we need to get out of here." Michael says slowly.
"Yes, it has always been about Nikita." Lisa said as she slammed the door open and Michael stood up and looked at Lisa.
"You've done enough damage to her. Let me get her to my people… And you can have me... That's what you want." Michael says slowly and then his head hurt.
"No.... no one else touches me... I'll die right now without you Michael... I am not strong." Nikita thought and then Michael saw images of a child and excited dogs. Michael pulls in a gasp of air and swallows hard.
"You aren't going anywhere." Lisa says firmly as she points the gun at Michael.
***
"GET NIKITA AND MICHAEL FIRST! THEN US!" Madeline orders Walter and he runs down the hallway, killing anyone that he sees.
"How dare you order that! We are the leaders!" Operations yells and Madeline rolls her eyes. Operations will never get a clue.
Michael watched Lisa pull out the gun and aim it at him. He knew what this was about and had to figure a way out of it without getting himself and Nikita killed in the process. It was going to be tricky but he was pretty sure that he could do it. He HAD to do it, for Nikita's sake.
"You don't want to do that Lisa." Michael told her calmly.
"Why shouldn't I?" She responded bitterly and sarcastically. The memories of what he'd done to her came rushing forward in her mind. She had fallen in love with him then he left her taking her husband with him. Then, he came back telling her that he'd missed her. Then he left her again back with her husband whom she'd gladly killed. He'd manipulated her too many times.
"You know why Lisa." Michael said softly. He knew that the memories were coming back to her.
"I'd rather hear you say it." Lisa said bitterly. "Because you could let Nikita go and we could be together forever. That's what you really want isn't it?" Michael said slowly standing up and walking away from Nikita.
He saw Walter quietly appear in the doorway behind Lisa. Walter had his gun trained on Lisa as Michael walked towards her.
"No! You must die for what you've done to me! I can't sleep without dreaming about the horrible pain you've caused me! I can't eat without getting nauseous thinking about it! You have to pay!" Lisa screamed angrily at him. Tears were forming in her eyes.
Michael took another hesitant step towards her, careful not to set her off too far.
"Do you think I enjoyed it?" Michael asked her softly.
"I don't care whether you enjoyed it or not! You will pay!" Lisa screamed at him. Her anger was boiling over the top.
Michael looked quickly at Walter when he noticed that Lisa had looked down at the bleeding Nikita.
"She was part of it! She's paying too!" Lisa screamed.
"Lisa, I hated using you like that. I really want to be with you." Michael reached his hand out to her hopefully. Walter carefully and quietly moved closer to her. Lisa raised the gun lower knowing that she was weakening.
"You lie!" Lisa screamed at Michael as Walter lifted the gun and brought down the butt down square on the back of her head knocking her out.
"Come on!" Walter yelled as Michael gently picked Nikita up and they ran out of the room quickly.
"KEEP GOING! GET OUT!" Walter orders as he looks at Michael who carrying Nikita carefully in his arms. Michael shakes his head and Walter looks at Nikita. Michael swallows and follows Walter's orders. It was the best for Nikita.
Walter runs down the hall, and then slaps an explosive on the wall and continues down the hallway. He turns and the explosive rips through the wall. Walter watches the guards run towards it, and he throws a ball explosive into the group, and he continues down the hallway.
"Where is Madeline?" Walter asks as he heads further back in another hallway.
"Should be the last room." Birkoff said quickly. Walter moves forward and looks at the door. He pulls out the string explosive, and cuts the lock out. There was Madeline staring at Operations, with a gun on his head. OH, it must have been exciting here.
"Nikita is out. Let's get out and blow this place to shreds." Walter said as he slides the explosives into the chair that Operations just sat up. Walter looks around and sees some vents and starts to slide the explosives down them, hoping to destroy enough of the compound.
***
Michael places Nikita down in the main van, as medical had yet to arrive. Michael looks at Birkoff as Birkoff turns green as he hands Michael the medical kit. Michael looks at Nikita and trembles. He doesn't know where to start. He sees the bleeding wounds, but to clean them properly, he has to take the straps off.
"STEP BACK!" Madeline cries as she sees Michael hovering around Nikita. Madeline could not allow a man to do more to her. Madeline moved Michael physically out of the way and started to take the topmost strap off.
"STOP!!! STOP!! STOP!! STOP!!" Nikita screams and Madeline looks at Nikita and strokes her hair back.
"Nikita, we need to assess you." Madeline says calmly, seeing the psychological damage that was done.
"NO! NO! NO!" Nikita screams and throws her head to the side. "Please... Help me, Michael... Protect me..." Michael hears the pleads and moves forward towards Nikita. Michael pushes Madeline away.
"Michael... you are going to psychologically damage your relationship." Madeline said firmly and Michael turned to her, and he had the same ghost face that he had from the first time he heard Nikita.
"She wants you?" Madeline questions and Michael nods his head slowly. Madeline steps back and Operations glares at her.
The straps had been tenderly removed by Michael's shaking hands before the medical team arrived. He had covered Nikita up into a large blanket, trying not to look at the bruises the straps had caused. He had started to clean the wounds from the dogs when the medical team burst into the van.
Nikita had started to scream, and Michael did the most compassionate thing he could do in this situation. He pulled the medicine out of the bag and kissed Nikita's forehead as she slipped into a deep slumber.
The medical team had ordered Michael not to go with them, until Madeline ordered Michael to go with Nikita. Madeline sat down near the computer, starting to sort through Nikita's psychological profiles and data, to chart the best possible way for her to heal.
The best way though, had already been chose, and Madeline realized that. In this entire ordeal more was revealed in relationship to the strength and intimacy of the connection between Michael's and Nikita's minds. Madeline was sure that the connection was more than just their minds, and that it extended to their hearts, souls, and beings. Yet, this thought would shake the already confused and shell-shocked Operations even more. It was going to be hard enough to stop Michael from pulling away from the connection. Madeline looked at the screen and looked towards Operations. She would have to make this work. It was the only way to save Nikita from the darkness that was ready to swallow her entire being.
The first decision that Madeline made brought criticism from the medical personnel, Operations, Walter and Michael. Madeline had seen how Nikita had fought the peace and quiet in the medical areas, that she slowed the healing progress by fighting everything that they did. Madeline ordered Nikita to heal at home, of course, with Michael tending to her side. The person, who did agree with Madeline, was not known to the others that he was appraised of the situation. George had been excited with Madeline's notion that operatives could be bounded in some sort of psychic way, and more excited when it was mentioned that it was two operatives that George had gained much respect for.
The second decision that Madeline made, was not discussed with Operations, and was not even discussed with George. Nikita had been traumatized and now she needed all the support that she could wrap her arms around. Madeline had told Michael that he was to sleep with Nikita. Not in the sexual way, as that was months away, possibly a year away, but to lie down in the bed with Nikita, and hold her. Michael could not produce a word in response. Madeline smiled and knew that it was what Michael had wished that he could do. He needed to do so to feel like he was making up for what he mistakenly thought was his mistake that Nikita was taken. Madeline's decision gave Michael's being a way to heal, while healing Nikita's.
Now it was down to time. Time that Madeline was willing to spread, but not still unsure if she could gather enough.
Sometimes rest heals, and sometimes being with one who knows you and cares for you, heals too. The best, is a combination of the both. That was what Nikita received at her apartment four days, before she could even keep her eyes open for more than twenty minutes. In the week that followed, Michael coaxed Nikita into keeping those blue eyes open, to the point where she was staying awake for three hours.
"Nikita." Michael asked softly this morning. Nikita opened her eyes and rolled up onto her side, with less pain written on her face. Michael leaned down and looked at Nikita and cupped her face softly.
"I'm hungry." Nikita stated flatly and Michael nodded his head as he stood up. It was a good sign. Nikita had not willingly ate food during her recovery. Michael was more than concerned, but Madeline had told him to wait and not to make it an issue.
Michael retrieved the plate with a soft-boiled egg and two pieces of toast. Michael was not disappointed when Nikita pushed the plate away with a full piece of toast untouched. Michael was thrilled with what she had eaten.
"Can we talk?" Nikita asked softly and Michael sat down on the bed and pulled Nikita's body onto his. Nikita settled in and sighed softly.
"You saw it." Nikita said softly and Michael looked down at the bruised body of Nikita's that had wrapped itself around his warm body and kissed her head.
"Saw what?" Michael asked, trying to figure out Nikita's words.
"My memories of the dogs in my childhood." Nikita said softly with tears reaching Michael's shirt.
"Yes." Michael said sadly. He didn't want Nikita to have more pain.
"You realize that the dogs that just attacked me... didn't harm me as much." Nikita said with a trembling voice. Michael closed his eyes and swallowed hard.
"I know Nikita." Michael said firmly and he squeezed her arm tightly, letting her know that he was there.
"It was terrible." Nikita moaned out and Michael closed his eyes again.
"Nikita, we don't have to talk about this. I know." Michael said and Nikita looked up at Michael.
"You know that they..." Nikita said crying loudly and Michael placed a finger onto her lips.
"I saw what you saw." Michael said and Nikita dropped her head to his chest and continued to cry. Michael carefully held Nikita and kissed her head.
"I'll get you through this, Nikita. You mean too much to me." Michael whispered softly, and he sat there, waiting for the healing sleep to take Nikita again, knowing that this was just the beginning still.
